How far is Richmond, VA from Colonial Heights, VA?

The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Colonial Heights, VA is about 21.9 miles (35.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 19.9 miles (32.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
21.95 mi
00h 32m
Flight
19.95 mi
32.11 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Richmond.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
19.95 mi
Kilometers
32.11 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.95 mi
Kilometers
35.33 km
Drive Time
00h 32m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colonial Heights
Fri, Apr 24, 9:18 PM EDT
Return by in Richmond
Fri, Apr 24, 9:51 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Richmond
2026-04-24T20:46
Arrive Colonial Heights
Fri, Apr 24, 9:18 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:33 AM to 7:33 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Richmond
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bensley
VA

Census designated place

From Richmond
11 mi
00h 16m
To Colonial Heights
10.9 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Today

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
89°F
Today

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Colonial Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Colonial Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle

    43 m · 4 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto Monument Avenue

    803 ft · 23 sec · Monument Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto West Franklin Street

    3219 ft · 2 min · West Franklin Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Belvidere Street

    1933 ft · 1 min · North Belvidere Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Byrd Street

    928 ft · 31 sec · East Byrd Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward VA 195 East

    967 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Downtown Expressway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Downtown Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South: Petersburg

    1039 ft · 16 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    15.6 mi · 20 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 620 West: Woods Edge Road

    1913 ft · 48 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Woods Edge Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Woods Edge Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Route 1

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Route 1

  13. 13

    Continue on Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue

    1743 ft · 37 sec · East Ellerslie Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right

    78 m · 19 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond and Colonial Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
72.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
15.6 mi · 71%
Route 1
1.56 mi · 7%
Boulevard
0.81 mi · 4%
Downtown Expressway
0.79 mi · 4%
Woods Edge Road
0.76 mi · 3%
West Franklin Street
0.61 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

15.6 mi · 00h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 32m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2 mi
19.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bensley
00h 16m from Richmond
Leave By
7:24 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Richmond and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Colonial Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Colonial Heights?

The road trip is about 21.9 miles (35.3 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bensley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11 miles from Richmond and 10.9 miles from Colonial Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 19.9 miles (32.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.05 one way or $6.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Richmond and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Colonial Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Bensley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Bensley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 10.2 mi away

Town Hall

Richmond , VA
3123 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Rating 4.9/5 13 reviews Restaurant
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 8.8 mi away

Old City Hall

Richmond , VA
1001 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Rating 4.4/5 32 reviews Tourist attraction,Land surveyor,Historical landmark
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
Meeting point 8.9 mi away

City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 2.9/5 40 reviews City government office,Police department,Tax assessor
City Hall
Nearby stop 8.9 mi away

City Hall

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 3.9/5 85 reviews Bike sharing station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bensley.

RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

10 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

19 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Petersburg station

23 mi away
3516 South Street
RAIL

Ashland

35 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Colonial Heights. Straight-line distance: 19.95 mi (32.11 km).

Richmond

#1 Richmond

The capital of Virginia.

Population232,226
Coordinates37.5537600, -77.4602600
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Colonial Heights

#2 Colonial Heights

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population17,820
Coordinates37.2680400, -77.4072600
Altitude29
CountryUnited States
Start: Richmond (-77.46026, 37.55376)
End: Colonial Heights (-77.40726, 37.26804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 35 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.77 gal
2.93 L · about $3.05
Round trip
$6.10
1.54 gal · 5.86 L
Estimated CO2
6.8 kg one way
Round trip: 13.7 kg / 30 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $3.05 $6.10
Mid-grade $4.43 $3.41 $6.82
Premium $4.78 $3.68 $7.36
Diesel $5.62 $4.33 $8.66

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Virginia · Apr 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Richmond and Colonial Heights. The current time is 20:46:11.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.